About Thotalagala

About Thotalagala

Welcome to Thotalagala, a remarkable feat of restoration. The planters bungalow has been revived to its former glory, with seven themed suites based on personalities that shaped the history of the province of Uva, one of the foremost tea growing regions in Sri Lanka, the finest tea growing region in the world.

Haputale is ideally located on the trail between Sri Lanka’s lush mountains and the descent towards the south coast and the jungles of Yala and Udawalawe which are a two hour drive away. Across the hills the ancient capital of Kandy lies within a two and a half hour radius. This location between Kandy and the Southern Wildlife parks and beaches makes Haputale an ideal location to sample the best of Sri Lanka’s tea country.

Thotalagala is steeped in history; it is located on Pitaratmalie Estate which is part of Agarapatana Plantations, a collection of estates that totals almost 8000 hectares of the finest high grown tea that Sri Lanka produces. Adjoining the estate is Dambatenne, possibly the most famous estate in all of Sri Lanka. Dambatenne is one of the only estates in the world that Sir Thomas Lipton planted himself. The term “Ceylon Tea” was coined here, and Lipton’s Tea was founded and sold its first pound of tea from the precincts of the factory which still stands today. Guests of Thotalagala will be granted exclusive access to the factory and the bungalow which was Sir Thomas Lipton’s residence from 1890 to 1910.

Thotalagala bungalow is surrounded by 20 acres of lawn and patana grass. From the edge of the lawn a sweeping vista greets the eye. Behind the bungalow and covering the Haputale hills lies 4000 hectares of tea stretching unto Lipton’s seat, 1500 feet above,and over onto the Bandarawela side of the mountain. The seven suites represent the epitome of colonial luxury. The teak panelled smoking room is the ideal place to retreat to for an after dinner cognac. The dining room itself is with its twenty seater table, a place to savour traditional hearty plantation fare. This is also a working estate and guest will be able to immerse themselves into the traditional lifestyle of a tea planter.

Come and explore true working tea country, walk through endless tea gardens. We invite you to stay with us awhile, to travel back in time and walk in the footsteps of Sir Thomas Lipton.